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September 11.





This Thursday will mark the 13th year anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States.

 I'm sure most of us remember vaguely where they were the minute that first plane hit the Twin Towers.

 I remember exactly where I was.......


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"Mike!  Hurry up!  The limo is here!"  I yelled as I struggled pulling my luggage out the door.

I stopped to look back at Mike who was hugging his mom for the 20th time that morning.  I rolled my eyes and continued yanking on the suitcase which was stuck in the doorway.

Ten minutes later Mike finally got into the backseat of the limo.  His eyes were puffy and red.

"Oh my God.  Please tell me you're not crying over your mom??  We're only going to be gone for 3 days Mike!!"

"No!  I'm not! (sniff).  Let's go!" 
Mike was my boyfriend 13 years ago.  At first, our relationship was fun, and exciting, and romantic. But a year in, and I realized that Mike and I were 2 completely different people on 2 completely different paths.  

I was hoping that a trip together would bring us back onto the same path. 

Mike and I were flying to Napa Valley California with my company for a client appreciation wine tasting event.  

Perhaps this trip would soften things between us.  We were starting to drift apart, and I needed to get out of our daily routine and have some fun together again.  Nothing like fun in the sun (with wine) to shake things up in a relationship.

 We were the first from my company to leave for the trip, flying from Toronto to Philadelphia, and then from Philadelphia to California.  Everyone else was leaving Toronto later that day.  

Our flight to Philadelphia went smoothly and soon we were boarded on our American Airlines flight to California.   


 After getting settled in, soon after take-off, I looked around the plane hoping to see stewardesses pushing food carts.

"I hope they serve breakfast soon" I whined, "I'm starving.  What time is it?"

"It's 9."  Mike answered quickly, "Babe.  Feel my back.  I'm so sweaty"

I didn't want to feel Mike's drenched shirt, but I knew he would keep talking about it if I didn't.

I knew it was Mike's first flight, but I really had no idea why he was so nervous.  I had flown hundreds of times before.  It was the most relaxing way to travel.  If only my damn food would come.....

As if the pilot read my thoughts, he suddenly came on the speaker system:

 (static) Hi folks.  Just wanted to let you know that we're experiencing some troubles.  Breakfast will be delayed.  (static)

 "Ugh!!  Give me a break!!  I'm sooo hungry!  This is beyond annoying!"  I looked around the plane to see if anyone was as frustrated as me.

 "Babe, feel my back again.   I am seriously sweating right now".

 "Mike!  Everything's going to be fine.  We're going to get there safely and have a great time."



But for some reason, I didn't believe my own words.  

Something was wrong.  

The energy in the cabin had changed.  I wasn't sure why, but suddenly I felt worried.



As if the pilot read my thoughts again, his voice boomed on the speakers one more time.....


(static) Folks.  We're going to have to get out of the air immediately.  There is terrorist activity in New York (static)...











 ....will be continued on Thursday, September 11th.





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